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There are many important differences between Lap
Band surgery and Gastric Bypass surgery that a patient
should consider in their decision in choosing a weight
loss surgical procedure.
If you look at the common complications of weight loss surgery, the Lap Band is much safer. Many of the complications related to the Gastric Bypass do not exist with the Lap Band. Gastric Bypass complications are more common, may be more severe, and even may result in a prolonged hospitalization, long term disabilities, or death. Lap Band complications are rare, usually minor, and in most cases, easily fixed as an out patient.
Patients who come to see me for the Lap Band surgery tell me they would not even consider Gastric Bypass surgery... It is too radical, invasive, and higher risk, and they don't "want their guts rearranged." They would rather stay obese than have Gastric Bypass surgery. Others comment that the bypass patients look ill and malnourished, that their skin and hair look unhealthy. All agree that the "Band" patients look healthy and happy. When Band patients reach their healthy goal weight, they are healthy! When Bypass patients reach their goal weight, they still have a chronic disease called 'malabsorption.'
Complication or Problem
Leak causing peritonitis
Requires cutting of the intestines
Requires rearranging intestines
Higher risk operation
Higher death rate
More invasive and complex
Irreversible
Dumping Syndrome
Vitamin Deficiencies
Stricture
Internal hernia
Anastomotic Ulcer
Osteoporosis
Eliminates scope access to stomach
Pregnancies are higher risk
Weight regain from stretched pouch
Weight regain from dilated stoma
Requires 2-5 day hospitalization
Protein malabsorption
Diarrhea
Increased risk for kidney stones
Erratic absorption of medicines
Unhealthy muscle wasting
Long term complicated vitamin regimen
Requires protein powders/supplements
Blood tests required frequently
Adjustable
Convert to other procedures
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Gastric Bypass
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
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Lap Band
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
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